Anđela, one of our cultural exchange participants in Spain, writes to us from beautiful Valencia, the vibrant host of the famous “Las Fallas” festival. Here’s what she had to say about her time there:
Valencia is stunning! The old part of the city completely won me over, and every day I catch myself thinking about how I could live here. The city is incredibly clean and well organized—it has everything you could need. There’s so much green space, gorgeous beaches, rich history, amazing museums, friendly people, and incredible food!
I’ve been really lucky with my host family—they made me feel at home from day one. And honestly, I feel the same when I’m out wandering the streets of Valencia. I’d say this program is perfect for anyone who’s ever dreamed of getting to know every corner of a European city.
In my free time, I go for walks, hit the gym, visit museums and galleries, take photos, and spend time with the amazing people I’ve met here. Since I’m still a student, I also use some of my free time to research literature for my master’s thesis.
What I love most is the spirit of the city—there’s always something going on. There aren’t too many tourists, so you’ll mostly hear Valencian Spanish everywhere you go. I’m also thrilled by how green the city is, and how often you see people just lying in the grass, relaxing in the sun.
Her message to future participants:
Don’t overthink it—just apply! And leave your expectations behind. The more pressure you put on yourself, the harder it might be. Go with an open heart and let yourself fall in love—with the city, the culture, the history, the food, and the people. Just let go and trust the process. You’ll always have support from your host family (as long as you communicate openly and honestly), and of course, from the agency, which is always there to answer your questions. So relax—you’ve got this!